Chapter 853: Alliances and Turmoil in the Immortal City

“How do you plan to handle this affair, husband?”

After True Lord Juejian departed, Hong Lian quietly asked Lu Changsheng as she glanced at him.

Earlier, when Lu Changsheng was about to inform the Heavenly Sword Sect about the extermination of the Yin Ghost Sect, she had already anticipated this moment.

After all, the Heavenly Sword Sect has always harbored deep suspicion and mistrust towards the Immortal City of Damengze.

If it weren’t for the Liang-Yue War diverting their energy and strength, the Heavenly Sword Sect might have taken a strong stand from the moment Lu Changsheng first exhibited his Nascent Soul combat power.

Now, not only has Lu Changsheng displayed an awe-inspiring martial prowess, but he has also forged alliances with both the Five Poisons Sect of the Jin Kingdom and the Heavenly Corpse Sect—how could the Heavenly Sword Sect possibly sit still?

Should the Immortal City of Damengze turn hostile, they could shatter the rear defenses of the Heavenly Sword Sect.

Moreover, colluding with the Liang Kingdom would allow them to form a pincer attack, annihilating the Heavenly Sword Sect in one fell swoop.

“Matters are weighted differently. Right now, the issue of the Zhenhai Seven Sects is of greater importance.”

With a grave expression, Lu Changsheng stated that the situation in the Starry Sea was more critical than the Liang-Yue War.

“Besides, that True Lord Juejian is still stationed in the Jiang Kingdom. The fact that he rushed to the Immortal City of Damengze at the first hint of our news indicates that the Yue Kingdom’s front is far from collapse.”

Lu Changsheng took a deep breath and spoke slowly.

His heart remained heavy with worry about the Liang-Yue War.

If the war were to collapse completely, it would surely affect both the Jiang Kingdom and Lu Family of Bihu Mountain.

If the issues with the Zhenhai Seven Sects were resolved, he could handle it.

But if matters in the Starry Sea remain unsettled, things would become extremely complicated.

Moreover, he has multiple wives and many children fighting on the Liang-Yue battlefield.

Should the war collapse, they would be in grave danger.

“True Lord Juejian’s visit is not to urge you into battle, but rather out of his fear—he is anxious that you might form a strategic alliance with the Jin and Liang Kingdoms against the Heavenly Sword Sect.”

The graceful Hong Lian approached Lu Changsheng and elegantly poured him a cup of Spirit Tea, her soft voice saying:

“Besides the lack of trust, there is another reason—the Heavenly Sword Sect does not truly understand your real strength, my lord.”

Hong Lian’s flawless, graceful face blossomed into a gentle smile as she continued, seemingly unconcerned about the issues with the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Liang-Yue War.

After all, when Lu Changsheng slew True Lord Fuhai and True Lord Pinghai, she was there by his side.

She knew that his power had already reached the mid-Nascent Soul level.

Unless that Xuanjian True Lord of the Heavenly Sword Sect has broken through to mid-Nascent Soul himself, it would be difficult to stand against Lu Changsheng.

Under such circumstances, neither the Heavenly Sword Sect nor the Liang-Yue War can inflict any real harm on their own faction.

At most, the conflict might cause collateral damage to the Lu Family disciples and female members.

“Since you intend to ally with the Heavenly Sword Sect, why not show a glimpse of your strength to True Lord Juejian and turn the tables?”

Hong Lian knew Lu Changsheng’s nature well.

He cherished his family too dearly to allow the war to wreak havoc on his clan.

Thus, at this juncture, forming an alliance with the Heavenly Sword Sect was the best course of action.

As for the Heavenly Sword Sect’s mistrust towards the Immortal City of Damengze, that too could be remedied.

In the realm of cultivation, power always speaks for itself.

Once Lu Changsheng demonstrates his absolute strength, it effectively tells True Lord Juejian that he has no interest in meddling with the Heavenly Sword Sect.

Otherwise, if he truly intended to wipe out the Heavenly Sword Sect, why would he need alliances with the Jin or Liang Kingdoms?

“Mm.”

Lu Changsheng lifted his cup, took a light sip, and smiled faintly—his decision clear.

“But sheer strength alone might not be enough to earn the total confidence of the Heavenly Sword Sect.”

Hong Lian’s ruby lips parted as she smiled gently, “Didn’t you once want to ride on the coattails of that legendary grand cultivator for public acclaim?”

“Now is a perfect opportunity to subtly leak some information—inform True Lord Juejian that our visit to the Jiang Kingdom and the Immortal City of Damengze is all about preparing for the Great Tribulation.”

“The details need not be elaborated; let the Heavenly Sword Sect figure it out on their own.”

Even though Hong Lian spent most of her time in seclusion refining her cultivation, having overseen the Immortal City for many years had given her a clear grasp of the current situation.

Wars are erupting everywhere, dark undercurrents are surging, and rumors of a Great Tribulation and a grand upheaval abound.

“Agreed.”

Lu Changsheng nodded slightly.

He felt that after displaying his power, his selfless assistance in stabilizing the Jiang Kingdom lacked a compelling justification.

Perhaps concocting some narrative about the impending tribulation would convince the Heavenly Sword Sect more effectively.

Plus, this would give him a chance to hint at some underlying ambitions.

“As for the Yue Kingdom front that troubles you, my lord, you could borrow the Heavenly Sword Sect’s spiritual veins; I can then break through to Nascent Soul within the sect.”

Hong Lian continued, her tone conveying her willingness to ease Lu Changsheng’s burdens.

Having shared a century together, she was well aware that Lu Changsheng would never neglect those close to him.

Even if her own breakthrough seemed rushed and incomplete at the moment,

she trusted that Lu Changsheng would remember her contributions and find a way to compensate in the future.

“There’s no need for that.”

Lu Changsheng cut her off decisively.

Rather than forcing Hong Lian to hurriedly break through to Nascent Soul, he preferred that she take a trip with Qian Zhuyan or the Golden Roc to gain experience.

Yet her considerate intentions warmed his heart.

“In that case, later I’ll meet with True Lord Juejian and assess the situation in the Liang-Yue War before making further plans.”

Lu Changsheng gently squeezed Hong Lian’s fair, delicate hand as he added, “I want to get a clear picture of the war’s progression.”

Although intelligence from Yun Wanshang and the Immortal City had provided extensive details about the war,

only the Nascent Soul True Lords of both the Jiang and Yue Kingdoms truly know the real conditions on the battlefield.

How long they can hold out, how long the fight will last—it all depends on these few true Nascent Soul cultivators.

“Mm.”

Hong Lian’s eyes sparkled with a charming smile as she replied.

Without lingering at Cloud Dream Inn, the couple returned to the City Lord’s Mansion.

“Husband, Hong Lian Senior,”

Ling Zixiao, seeing them return, inquired about the purpose behind True Lord Juejian’s visit.

She deduced that his coming was likely connected to matters involving her own husband and the Liang-Yue War.

Ever since her son Lu Lingxiao represented the Immortal City at the Yue Kingdom frontline, she had been especially anxious about the war, monitoring it constantly.

Although in his letters over the past seven years he never mentioned any dire danger, only updates on the battle,

she, having risen from a mere cultivator to the master of formation techniques in Nine Heavens Immortal City—and now the matriarch of Lu Family of Bihu Mountain and chief administrator of the Immortal City—was acutely aware of the war’s perils.

Through the Immortal City’s channels, she learned that her son had been injured several times in battle.

“Zixiao.”

Knowing his wife was deeply concerned about the war and Lu Lingxiao’s safety, Lu Changsheng explained the current situation to her.

Though Ling Zixiao was aware of her husband’s extraordinary growth, she was still stunned upon hearing the news.

She never imagined that her husband, barely past his Nascent Soul breakthrough, had advanced to such heights.

But now the matters of the Starry Sea, Liang-Yue War, and the Heavenly Sword Sect were piling up—and only Lu Changsheng could resolve them.

Besides Hong Lian Senior, no one else in the family was in a position to lend a hand, let alone interfere.

“Don’t worry. Later, I’ll probe True Lord Juejian for the real situation of the war.”

“As long as I display my strength, I’m sure the Heavenly Sword Sect will take good care of Lingxiao.”

Lu Changsheng spoke warmly while holding his wife’s hand, seated nearby.

If his son Lu Lingxiao were to encounter mishaps in battle, he couldn’t fathom how to face Ling Zixiao.

After all, he had previously provided Lu Lingxiao with several puppets and numerous top-tier talismans; unless the Nascent Soul True Lords or a Core Formation Grand Cultivator intervened, his life would be hard to end.

“Mm~” Although Ling Zixiao was worried about her son, she was no fool.

Knowing her husband’s predicament, she merely inquired about the situations in the Starry Sea and the Jin Kingdom.

“Husband, will True Lord Caiyun not intervene?”

At that moment, Ling Zixiao suddenly asked.

Her tone was not teasing but a genuine inquiry.

After all, as a cultivator of the Azure Cloud Sect—one of the Four Great Immortal Sects in the Jiang Kingdom—Yun Wanshang could hardly remain aloof now that she had reached the Nascent Soul stage.

Even if she stayed out of the fray, the Heavenly Sword Sect would surely be displeased.

“It seems that True Lord Caiyun has some matters to attend to and cannot act for now.”

Lu Changsheng said nothing more, as he was unaware of True Lord Caiyun’s exact situation.

Previously, the true identity of “True Lord Yun Ji” had likely been deduced by Ling Zixiao, Hong Lian, and others.

“???”, Ling Zixiao thought as she noticed a tinge of unease in her husband’s expression. Could it be that True Lord Caiyun, who once helped Lu Changsheng break through to Nascent Soul, suffered severe loss of vital energy?

Otherwise, she could not fathom why he would now hold back.

“Will this True Lord Caiyun act later?”

Ling Zixiao pressed on with her inquiry.

“I believe it will take some time.”

Lu Changsheng shook his head in reply.

Yun Wanshang, who was pregnant with Lu Yunxiao, had not only failed to cultivate any Nascent Soul Divine Abilities techniques but was also severely drained of vital energy.

Her body had only barely recovered, and even if she healed completely, taking the battlefield would be unfeasible.

Moreover, he could tell that Yun Wanshang cared deeply for her son’s well-being.

She would never abandon young Lu Yunxiao to hold the frontline.

Ling Zixiao, upon hearing this, asked no further questions.

She understood that unless Lu Changsheng swiftly resolved the issues in the Starry Sea, only Hong Lian Senior could offer aid to the Yue Kingdom.

But after years together, she sensed a certain indifference deep within Hong Lian Senior—a lack of concern for the Liang-Yue War beyond her care for her own husband.

Only if her husband spoke up would Hong Lian Senior consider heading to the Yue Kingdom to lend her support.

Yet Hong Lian Senior, who was preparing for her own Nascent Soul breakthrough, would never be sent out to run errands by her husband.

At that moment, Ling Zixiao acutely felt the limitations of her own cultivation.

Even with ample cultivation resources and the Heavenly Godly Descent Diagram—a Dao-Comprehending Artifact—and the latent potential of his Dragon Roar Body, her own progress, recently surpassing the third level of Core Formation, was far from enough for the Liang-Yue War.

“Zixiao, during my recent expedition in the Yin Ghost Sect, I acquired plenty of natural treasures and medicinal materials that can comprehensively enhance your Heavenly Godly Descent Diagram.”

After their conversation, Lu Changsheng told Ling Zixiao that he planned to use the magical materials he had gathered to upgrade her self-cultivating artifact, thereby compensating for the time she spent managing affairs.

“My lord is currently busy with matters in the Starry Sea, so we can postpone the upgrade of the Heavenly Godly Descent Diagram.”

Ling Zixiao replied, knowing that the upgrade wouldn’t significantly boost her current cultivation, and urged Lu Changsheng to first focus on the pressing issues.

“Very well.” Lu Changsheng nodded, deciding first to infuse the artifact with its fundamental Dao energy and postpone the full upgrade until time permitted.

He then passed on much of his acquired bounty to Hong Lian to see if any might be of use to her.

“My breakthroughs in the Nascent Soul realm depend more on my personal cultivation,” Hong Lian remarked sweetly.

“Unless I have a fourth-tier top-level spirit item or something like Thunderstruck Fusang Wood—a rare treasure—ordinary natural treasures are useless for my spirit fetus body.

It’s better to spend more time preparing secret techniques.

Besides, Thunderstruck Fusang Wood can refine one’s Dao base to perfection.”

“Very well. Keep this tribulation-crossing treasure, and also, these few items that can be used to refine tribulation-crossing treasures.”

Lu Changsheng nodded and handed over the tribulation-crossing treasures and materials to Hong Lian, allowing her to refine them on her own to aid in her breakthrough.

“Thank you, my lord~” Hong Lian accepted the resources with a bright smile.

After a brief, tender moment with Ling Zixiao, Lu Changsheng proceeded to the Puppet Hall at the City Lord’s Mansion to visit Qian Zhuyan.

As the hall doors burst open,

Lu Changsheng saw a massive metallic puppet along with a graceful Ice Soul Divine Maiden dressed in a long, broad-sleeved dress of Moon Essence. They were engaged in re-forging another puppet.

“My Lord.”

The figure known as Lingbo True Lord, resembling the Ice Soul Divine Maiden, paused and called out to Lu Changsheng in a voice that was melodious yet chillingly emotionless.

Meanwhile, Qian Zhuyan—the true puppeteer—continued to etch inscriptions onto the puppet before her.

“Xiaoyan.”

Lu Changsheng nodded slightly before quietly observing from the side without interrupting.

After a while, Qian Zhuyan finally stopped her work and asked Lu Changsheng what matter had brought him here.

She had been so immersed in re-forging the five puppets given to her by Lu Changsheng—almost losing track of time.

“It’s nothing major—I just came to see how you were doing.”

Lu Changsheng’s lips curved into a warm smile.

Though he made no use of his charm, his elegant bearing—enhanced by his immortal aura, the allure from his Peach Blossom Gu, his Immaculate Heavenly Fragrance Body, and his Nascent Soul cultivation—radiated an irresistible magnetism.

Even Qian Zhuyan, a puppet herself, couldn’t help but feel a ripple of emotion at the sight of Lu Changsheng’s handsome, ethereal features and gentle, caring words.

“My Lord, I have completed the re-forging of four puppets. They are ready to integrate into a puppet battle formation,” Qian Zhuyan said, pointing toward the re-forged puppets, explaining that these four would complement her formation and bolster her power.

She had also gained some insights from studying the fourth-tier puppet, which inspired her further.

Lu Changsheng listened intently, occasionally offering ideas. He mused that if he could elevate his puppet craftsmanship to the fourth-tier, he and Qian Zhuyan might reach a new level of understanding.

“Xiaoyan, please examine this puppet and see if you can replicate it.”

At that moment, Lu Changsheng retrieved the Faceless Homunculus from his Storage Ring,

and presented it to Qian Zhuyan.

Qian Zhuyan’s eyes shone as she carefully inspected the transparent, crystal-like puppet.

“This puppet is called the Faceless Homunculus,” Lu Changsheng explained its abilities and effects.

“It simulates the operation of a cultivator’s internal meridians and the dynamic process of breakthrough?”

Qian Zhuyan listened with mild astonishment as a surge of divine sense coursed through her, scrutinizing the puppet.

Although she had reached the level of a fourth-tier master in puppetcraft, learning was endless!

Puppetcraft and talisman refining were as vast as the oceans. Everyone had their own specialty and focus.

For instance, the puppet techniques of Qian Zhuyan’s sect were mostly designed for battlefield charges or secret realm expeditions.

The Faceless Homunculus, being purely functional, was uncharted territory for her.

Ever since she had seen the Thousand-Faced Fox Puppet, she had been in awe and keen to dissect and study it further.

“My Lord, this puppet is truly exquisite. I’ve never seen anything like its inscriptions or its internal crystal core.”

After a short pause, Qian Zhuyan’s voice grew husky, “From what I understand, if a puppet is to simulate a cultivator’s meridian operation for breakthroughs, even a minor error could render all previous efforts futile.”

In this short time, she could not fully decipher the workings of the Faceless Homunculus.

It would require more meticulous, in-depth study to uncover its principles before any replication could be attempted.

“Very well. Study it carefully and try not to damage it,” Lu Changsheng advised, aware that a deep analysis might necessitate taking it apart.

“Rest assured, my Lord,” Qian Zhuyan replied, her eyes fixed intently on the puppet as her inner spirit flared.

Even in the presence of Lu Changsheng, she showed a rare reserve.

Nonetheless, Lu Changsheng, unaffected by her modesty, passed her more materials he had gathered to assist in forging and upgrading her puppets.

“My Lord,”

Qian Zhuyan exclaimed in a mix of astonishment and gratitude. Previously, after Lu Changsheng had vanquished True Lord Fuhai and True Lord Pinghai, he had given her five puppets along with a wealth of natural treasures.

All her recent efforts had been spent re-forging those puppets, leaving her little time to convert the materials into a refined puppet.

She now marveled at the abundance of advanced materials Lu Changsheng had provided.

She suddenly recalled how difficult her life had been in the past.

Had she known how favorable the conditions were under Lu Changsheng, she would have never hesitated.

“My Lord, the materials you gave me are more than enough—I won’t be able to use them all in a short time,”

Qian Zhuyan remarked, feeling that these resources would keep her occupied for over a decade.

“See which ones are currently useful; you can set aside those that aren’t,” Lu Changsheng suggested, recalling that Qian Zhuyan still held materials such as the Wind-Splitting Beast, the Golden-Haired Monoceros Bear’s remains, and dragon-scale sinews.

He anticipated that once she gathered everything, her collection of fourth-tier puppets forming a battle array would be formidable enough to threaten many Nascent Soul cultivators!

After leaving the Puppet Hall, Lu Changsheng went to check on Lu Lingjing.

She had been recuperating at the City Lord’s Mansion ever since she was hunted by True Lord Zhenhai and others in the Deep Sea.

“Master,”

The moment Lu Lingjing saw Lu Changsheng arrive, she cheerfully called out in her delicate voice.

Her short, neat hair framed a face marked by two curved dragon horns on her forehead, a cold yet exquisite countenance, and big, lively eyes that radiated a mix of cuteness and innocence.

“Lingjing, how are you feeling now?”

Noticing that her armor was no longer shattered, Lu Changsheng understood that her injuries had improved considerably.

“Master, I’m much better. I’d like to return to Da Mengze for further recuperation,” Lu Lingjing replied promptly.

Under the care of numerous spirit medicines provided by the Immortal City, her wounds had mostly healed—she just needed more time to fully recover.

However, being in human form in the City Lord’s Mansion always made her feel uneasy; she much preferred resting in her beast form in Da Mengze.

“Now, Lingjing, you must be cautious. Those minions of the Blue-Armored Man might still come looking for trouble, so it’s better for you to recover here at the mansion for now.”

Lu Changsheng gently patted her luminous dragon horns like comforting a daughter.

Although he surmised that Patriarch Zhenhai would never act against him without absolute certainty,

to avoid any mishaps, he felt it was best for Lu Lingjing to remain in the Immortal City.

“The Blue-Armored Man’s cronies!”

At these words, Lu Lingjing’s little fists clenched, her dragon horns bristling with sharp qi, and her face turned icy and formidable.

Her fragile body, with each breath, seemed to swell with a turbulent, overwhelming energy that immobilized the surrounding void.

If there was one who harbored the deepest hatred for the Zhenhai Seven Sects, it was Lu Lingjing.

First, she had been mysteriously attacked by True Lord Pinghai in the Starry Sea,

and then, at the Sea Eye of Da Mengze, she was nearly slain by a trio led by True Lord Pinghai.

Barely recovering under the benevolence of nature, she was then targeted again by True Lord Zhenhai and his allies.

Had Master not arrived in time, she would have been captured long ago.

In such conditions, as a fourth-tier Demon King, how could Lu Lingjing not feel an overwhelming rage, wishing to devour True Lord Pinghai and the others whole?

Lu Lingjing’s anger surged in waves, but knowing she was no match for Patriarch Zhenhai,

she instead pursed her lips, looking up at Lu Changsheng with a hint of plaintive protest, “Master, I want some dewdrops.”

Despite having acquired many rare spirit items in Da Mengze,

nothing tasted as exquisite to her as Heavenly Dew. Its benefits were numerous, from cleansing the body and aiding growth to healing wounds.

“There’s no Heavenly Dew right now. It must be condensed first. Once the Blue-Armored Men are dealt with, I’ll start the condensation,”

Lu Changsheng explained warmly as he couldn’t help but pinch Lu Lingjing’s chubby face, sympathetic at her hungry, pouting look.

He regretted that if it weren’t for concerns over the Starry Sea and the looming threat from the Zhenhai Seven Sects, he would have already arranged for Lu Lingjing to continuously condense Heavenly Dew in the Deep Sea.

He had even planned to construct a towering beacon beside the Immortal City to fully exploit the Cheng Lu Pan’s effects.

“Cursed Blue-Armored Men!”

Lu Lingjing’s hatred for True Lord Pinghai and Patriarch Zhenhai surged another notch as she swallowed her drool and, with a tinge of regret, said, “Alright then.”

“Lingjing, hold on to these pills,”

Lu Changsheng pulled out several vials of pills from his Storage Ring and handed them to Lu Lingjing, urging her to recover as soon as possible.

“Thank you, Master,” Lu Lingjing replied without any pretense.

Accepting the pills, she devoured all of them as if they were candy, swallowing them whole.

Only a four-tier Demon King like her could ingest pills so freely—any ordinary cultivator would be overwhelmed by the mighty medicinal power.

Originally, he had intended for Lu Lingjing to continue recovering here alone,

but seeing her look somewhat lonely, Lu Changsheng couldn’t bear it, so he brought her along to meet True Lord Juejian.

It was the perfect chance for him to display some of his strength,

and Lu Lingjing, a freshly transformed fourth-tier Demon King, would also showcase the might of their lineage.

“True Lord, the City Lord’s Mansion has sent a message, inviting you to Cloud Dream Inn for a meeting.”

A Core Formation cultivator stationed at the Immortal City of Damengze—responsible for liaising with the City Lord’s Mansion—delivered the message with a look of utmost reverence.

“Hmm?” True Lord Juejian opened his eyes in surprise.

He hadn’t expected Lu Changsheng to contact him so soon; he assumed it would be a lengthy wait before their paths crossed.

“Very well.” Clad in a black sword robe and exuding a cold, dignified aura, True Lord Juejian nodded slightly before vanishing into his cave residence.

Although cultivators are forbidden from flying in the Immortal City and spatial techniques are suppressed,

the Immortal City’s formations were only at the third-tier and were not in full operation, so the Nascent Soul True Lord was hardly restricted.

That was one reason he dared to step into the Immortal City of Damengze.

When True Lord Juejian arrived at Cloud Dream Inn and was shown into a private room, he immediately saw Lu Changsheng—dressed in a dark robe, exuding a heroic and scholarly aura.

However, his gaze was instantly drawn to a little girl beside him.

About eleven or twelve years old, she wore a striking set of black and gold armor and looked adorably plump as she devoured a huge basin of delicious food.

But the sight of her curved, youthful dragon horns and the subtle, shimmering mystical aura revealed that this was no ordinary child—it was a Demon King in fourth-tier transformation!

True Lord Juejian’s heart skipped a beat. He couldn’t fathom when Lu Changsheng had acquired a fourth-tier Demon King by his side.

Even though Yangming True Lord owned a fourth-tier Golden Roc,

he had seen the Golden-Winged Roc. Yet, judging by the distinct qi, the little girl clearly wasn’t of the roc lineage.

“Could it be…”

True Lord Juejian immediately recalled the time when, during the beast tide in Da Mengze, the City Lord had emerged riding a giant whale to repel the onslaught.

When the Abyss Secret Realm first appeared, the Immortal City’s lord couple had even ridden a double-horned Whale King.

But according to current intelligence, that Whale King was a third-tier top cultivator.

Now, it appeared that this little girl was the same Whale King—all the more astonishing with a breakthrough to the fourth-tier.

Considering that the City Lord Yangming already boasted a fourth-tier Golden Roc and had a partner of Nascent Soul caliber,

to now have an additional fourth-tier spirit pet was terrifying—the power gap was immense, and even the Heavenly Sword Sect would struggle to counter this force!

“Fellow cultivator Juejian.”

Seeing True Lord Juejian enter, Lu Changsheng rose, bowed kindly, and greeted him with the warm, unpretentious manners of a friend.

Then, turning to the still-eating Lu Lingjing, he called out, “Lingjing, this is True Lord Juejian of the Heavenly Sword Sect.”

“Oh.” Quickly, Lu Lingjing swallowed down her morsel of demon beast meat, looked up with her big, dark eyes at True Lord Juejian, and greeted in a chirpy voice, “Hello.”

She recalled Master’s earlier instructions that one must always show proper courtesy when out in the world.

“Greetings, friend Lingjing.”

Though Lu Lingjing, with her childlike innocence, might appear unrefined, True Lord Juejian treated her as an equal fellow cultivator.

“Hehe, this is my spirit pet—she’s just recently transformed and doesn’t yet know proper etiquette. Please forgive her,” Lu Changsheng said indulgently, making a beckoning gesture.

“City Lord Wang certainly has abundant fortune—to possess not one but two fourth-tier spirit pets!”

True Lord Juejian bowed as he remarked, internally wondering what Lu Changsheng’s intentions were in bringing a fourth-tier Whale King before him.

Was he trying to intimidate him or simply showcase his might?

Regardless, the sight of Lu Lingjing left a deep impression—a single cultivator with two fourth-tier spirit pets was nothing short of extraordinary.

Not to mention, even if both spirit pets managed their tribulation-crossings and broke through to fourth-tier,

the sheer resources required just to nurture two fourth-tier Demon Kings were beyond the capacity of any ordinary Immortal City.

“Hehe.”

Lu Changsheng smiled lightly, inwardly pleased that he himself had four fourth-tier spirit pets.

Noticing that True Lord Juejian now showed signs of apprehension, he added, “I brought Lingjing here today not to boast, but to lay all my cards on the table.”

“How familiar are you with the Starry Sea?”

Lu Changsheng fixed his gaze on True Lord Juejian and inquired.

“Lay all your cards on the table?”

True Lord Juejian paused, his expression unchanging as he pondered before replying, “Regarding the Starry Sea, while the Heavenly Sword Sect has some records, our knowledge is limited. All we know is that it is an expansive realm of cultivation, far grander than the Jiang Kingdom.”

“After crossing Da Mengze and navigating through the Mist Sea, one reaches the Starry Sea.”

Lu Changsheng nodded, responding at a measured pace, “That region is under the jurisdiction of the Fuhai Sect.”

“Not only is the Fuhai Sect a Nascent Soul-level force, but along with the Zhenhai Sect, Pinghai Sect, Tunhai Sect, Lingbo Sect, and Minghai Sect—collectively known as the Zhenhai Seven Sects—they are among the top cultivator forces of the Starry Sea.”

“All these seven factions have Nascent Soul True Lords commanding them, and their patriarchs are mid-level Nascent Soul cultivators.”

Lu Changsheng did not press True Lord Juejian on whether he was familiar with the Zhenhai Seven Sects and instead proceeded to describe their details.

Meanwhile, Lu Lingjing, who had been eating contentedly, grew visibly angry at the mention of the “Zhenhai Seven Sects,”

her fourth-tier Demon King aura flaring uncontrollably—had it not been for the barriers Lu Changsheng had already set up in the private room, all the cultivators in Cloud Dream Inn might have been cowed into trembling.

True Lord Juejian, noticing Lu Lingjing’s display but remaining calm, remarked, “We at the Heavenly Sword Sect possess some records regarding the Zhenhai Seven Sects.”

Lu Changsheng smiled and continued, “The disruptive cultivators I mentioned earlier are none other than those from the Zhenhai Seven Sects—that is, the source of the battle tremors you sensed earlier.”

“At that time, the interlopers were True Lord Fuhai, True Lord Pinghai, and True Lord Tunhai representing the Zhenhai Seven Sects.”

As he spoke, Lu Changsheng casually flipped his hand, and before him appeared both a trident radiating a deep, blue luster and a slightly battered divine spear entwined with a coiled Jiaolong.

“Zhenhai Seven Sects! True Lord Fuhai, True Lord Pinghai, True Lord Tunhai!”

The steely features of True Lord Juejian momentarily faltered, betraying a hint of unease.

Earlier, he had asked Lu Changsheng how long the Starry Sea troubles would last,

to which Lu Changsheng had replied—a few years at best—leading him to believe they were not serious.

Now, Lu Changsheng was informing him that the trouble came from the top force of the Starry Sea, commanded by at least seven Nascent Soul True Lords of the Zhenhai Seven Sects!

And some of these sects might even have patriarchs at the mid-Nascent Soul level!

That means you expect to resolve this in three or five years? How can you not break through to the Divine Transformation in a century?!

Even the usually reserved and stern True Lord Juejian began to lose his composure under the strain of such absurdity.

He suspected that Lu Changsheng was trying to intimidate him with his words.

Yet, seeing the genuine qi emanating from the magnificent Pinghai Halberd and the Jiaolong Spear, he couldn’t help but acknowledge the veracity of Lu Changsheng’s claims.

There was no mistaking the exceptional quality of these divine treasures—they were clearly personal magical treasures of their owners.

Moreover, deducing from the faint waves of magical energy, it was apparent that both treasures belonged to cultivators specialized in water-element techniques, aligning closely with Lu Changsheng’s description of the Zhenhai Seven Sects.